Nominees for the 2008-2009 Drama League Awards, which will be held May 15 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, were revealed April 21. Nominees were announced in four categories: Distinguished Production of a Musical and a Play, Revival of a Musical and Revival of a Play.

Tony Award winners Jeremy Irons, now on Broadway in Impressionism, and Cynthia Nixon, currently Off-Broadway in Distracted, will co-host the 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon May 15.

The nominees for the 75th Annual Drama League Awards follow:

Distinguished Production of a Musical9 to 5: The Musical - Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia ResnickBilly Elliot: The Musical - Music by Elton John; Book and Lyrics by Lee HallFela! - Music by Fela Kuti; Book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis Liza's at the Palace... - Music and Lyrics by Various Artists The Marvelous Wonderettes - Music by Various Artists; Book by Roger Bean Road Show - Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by John WeidmanRock of Ages - Music by Various Artists; Book by Chris D'Arienzo Shrek The Musical - Music by Jeanine Tesori; Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-AbaireThe Toxic Avenger - Music and Lyrics by David Bryan; Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietroThis Beautiful City - Music, Lyrics by Michael Friedman; Book by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis

[The Broadway transfers of [title of show], Dividing the Estate and Next to Normal were previously considered for Drama League Awards during their Off-Broadway engagements, and are thus ineligible this season.]

Cheyenne Jackson, Rosie Perez and Bobby Cannavale

photo by Aubrey Reuben

The Drama League Awards, according to press notes, "pay tribute to the season's best performers by honoring the nominees of The Distinguished Performance Award on a dais." The 75th Annual Drama League Awards dais will feature dozens of performers from the 2008-09 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. This season's dais follows. One of these performers will be presented with the Distinguished Performance Award at the May 15 event.

Nine past recipients of the Distinguished Performance Award will also be honored on the dais for their work this past season. They are, however, ineligible for award consideration, as the Distinguished Performance Award is a one-time honor. The past honorees include:

Earlier this spring, The Drama League announced the recipients of its annual special recognitions: Elton John will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award; Arthur Laurents will be honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing; and Angela Lansbury will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award. Broadway porducer Herb Blodgett will receive The Drama League's 75th Anniversary Leadership Award.

Tickets for The 75th Annual Drama League Awards are now available by calling (212) 244-9494 ext. 5 or by visiting www.dramaleague.org.